Choose the option that has a different vowel sound from the others

Analyze the question: You are asked to find the word whose vowel sound is different from the rest. This tests your knowledge of vowel sounds (phonetics).

Concept: Look at the sound of the vowel in each word, not the spelling. Words can be spelt differently but still share the same sound.

Solution: Write out the vowel sound in each word:

• A. here is /hɪə/, with the diphthong /ɪə/
• B. beer is /bɪə/, with the diphthong /ɪə/
• C. idea is /aɪˈdɪə/, and the stressed final syllable has /ɪə/
• D. head is /hed/, with the short vowel /e/

Words A, B and C all contain the centring diphthong /ɪə/ (as in "ear"). Word D has the short monophthong /e/, as in "bed". This makes D the odd one out.

Answer: D. head

Tip: In "odd one out" vowel questions, quickly say each word aloud and ask whether the vowel is a single, short sound (monophthong) or a glide (diphthong). Here three words glide to an "uh" ending (/ɪə/), while "head" does not. Also remember that "ea" can be pronounced differently: "here/beer" use /ɪə/, but "head" uses /e/.